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Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are major contributors to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through the binding of VEGF ligands. We have previously shown that the bone marrow tyrosine kinase BMX is critical for inflammatory angiogenesis via its direct transactivation of VEGFR2. In the present study, we show that siRNA‐mediated silencing of BMX led to a significant decrease in the total levels of VEGFR2 mRNA and protein, without affecting their stability, in human endothelial cells (ECs). Interestingly, BMX was detected in the nuclei of ECs, and the SH3 domain of BMX was necessary for its nuclear localization. Luciferase assays showed a significant decrease in the Vegfr2 (kdr) gene promoter activity in ECs after BMX silencing, indicating that BMX is necessary for Vegfr2 transcription. In addition, we found that wild‐type BMX, but not a catalytic inactive mutant BMX‐K445R, promoted Vegfr2 promoter activity and VEGF‐induced EC migration and tube sprouting. Mechanistically, we show that the enhancement of Vegfr2 promoter activity by BMX was mediated by Sp1, a transcription factor critical for the Vegfr2 promoter. Loss of BMX significantly reduced Sp1 binding to the Vegfr2 promoter as assayed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Wild‐type BMX, but not a kinase‐inactive form of BMX, associated with and potentially phosphorylated Sp1. Moreover, a nuclear‐targeted BMX (NLS‐BMX), but not cytoplasm‐localized form (NES‐BMX), bound to Sp1 and augmented VEGFR2 expression. In conclusion, we uncovered a novel function of nuclear‐localized BMX in regulating VEGFR2 expression and angiogenesis, suggesting that BMX is a therapeutic target for angiogenesis‐related diseases.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of macular buckling and vitrectomy for myopic traction maculopathy showing macular schisis (MS) and associated macular detachment (MD) but without full‐thickness macular hole (FTMH). Design Prospective, randomized, parallel, open‐label study. Methods Patients were randomly assigned to either buckling or vitrectomy group. Macular buckling and intravitreal C3F8 gas injection were performed in the buckling group. Small gauge vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) and C3F8 gas tamponade were performed in the vitrectomy group. The patients were followed for 12 months. Main outcome measures Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months. Results A total of 85 patients were randomized, 80 eyes were included (41 receiving buckling, 39 received vitrectomy), and 78 patients completed the study. There were less eyes determined as surgical failure and required a second surgery in the buckling group than vitrectomy the group (2.4% versus 18.4%, p = 0.021). After surgery, macular buckling achieved more improvement in BCVA (+21.7 versus +4.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, p = 0.002). FTMH development was observed in only 1 (2.4%) eye, after removing of the implant due to recurrent conjunctival erosion, in the buckling group and 10 (26.3%) eyes (seven with‐, three without MD) in the vitrectomy group (p

Garden hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla )i s a popular ornamental plant that can be devastated by leaf-spot diseases. Information is needed to determine susceptibility of commercial cultivars to leaf-spot diseases. To address this need, 88 cultivars of H. macrophylla were evaluated for their resistance to leafspot diseases in full-shade (2007–2008), full-sun (2007–2008) and partial-shade (2009–2010) environments in McMinnville, TN, USA. Ten cultivars [Ami Pasquier, Ayesha, Blue Bird, Forever Pink, Fuji Waterfall (Fujinotaki), Miyama-yae-Murasaki, Seafoam, Taube, Tricolor and Veitchii] were rated resistant (R) or moderately resistant to leaf spot under each of the three environments. In 2007– 2008, approximately 51% of the cultivars were rated R in full shade, but only 5% were R in full sun. In 2009–2010, only 1% of the cultivars were rated R in partial shade. Although environmental parameters including temperature and rainfall influence disease severity and host reaction, a shaded environment was least favourable for leaf-spot disease development, which demonstrates that establishing hydrangea in shaded environment can be an effective tool along with cultivar selection for managing leaf-spot diseases on hydrangea. Six pathogens, Corynespora cassiicola, Cercospora spp., Myrothecium roridum, Glomerella cingulata (Anamorph: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), Phoma exigua and Botrytis cinerea, were associated with leaf-spot diseases of garden hydrangea. Of the leaf-spot pathogens, C. cassiicola was most frequently isolated (55% of all isolates), followed by Cercospora spp. (20%) and other pathogens (25%). Because symptoms attributed to each leaf-spot pathogen were similar, cultivars were selected for resistance to multiple leaf-spot pathogens.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of vitreous surgery in conjunction with photocoagulation for highly myopic retinal detachment resulting from a macular hole. Methods: Sixty-two consecutive highly myopic patients (65 eyes) with retinal detachment from macular holes underwent vitreous surgery. Gas tamponade in conjunction with laser photocoagulation was performed in 46 eyes (44 cases, group 1); gas tamponade only was performed in 12 eyes (11 cases, group 2); and silicone oil tamponade only was performed in seven eyes (seven cases, group 3). Additional laser photocoagulation was given in group 1 if necessary. The anatomical and functional success rates were compared between the groups. Results: Primary retinal reattachment was achieved in 43 eyes (93.5%) in group 1, seven eyes (58.3%) in group 2 and four eyes (57.1%) in group 3. Final visual acuity was 6/60 or more in 24 eyes (52.2%) in group 1, in six eyes (50.0%) in group 2 and in three eyes (42.9%) in group 3. The initial retinal reattachment rate was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.0075) and group 3 (P = 0.0248). The macular hole was completely closed in 18 eyes in group 1 and one eye in group 2 after 2 months or longer. A thin fibrous membrane and scar could be easily noticed beneath the macula in 15 eyes. Conclusion: Vitreous surgery in conjunction with laser photo­coagulation can improve the surgical success rate for highly myopic retinal detachment resulting from a macular hole.